As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and Commerce Bank of Kansas City will recognize 18 high-school women for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology at an award ceremony and reception at Kansas City Power & Light in February.

The young women are winners of the NCWIT Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate Award for Aspirations in Computing, which recognizes high-school women for their computing-related achievements and interests. Each winner will receive a glass trophy, a prize donated by Net App and Northwest Missouri State University, an NCWIT messenger bag and swag items provided by NCWIT. Honorable Mentions for the award will receive a glass trophy, an NCWIT string bag and swag items.

“With technology jobs projected to grow faster than all other job sectors in the next decade, it’s imperative that we nurture the computing aspirations of women, who will make up half the professional workforce,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT. “This award allows us to recognize and encourage talent that might otherwise be overlooked.”

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to encourage the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field, and generate visibility for women’s participation in technology fields. Winners are acknowledged for their outstanding aptitude and interest in technology and computing, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.
Following are the 2018 winners of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing – Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate:

About NCWIT
NCWIT is the National Center for Women & Information Technology, a non-profit coalition of over 450 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits working to improve U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and workforce sustainability by increasing women's participation in IT. NCWIT's work spans K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.